DHAKA: The promised introduction of school bus service in the capital hangs in the balance, even 10 months after government decision, for indifference on part of Dhaka City Corporation authorities.  

October was fixed as the cut-off time for formal launch of the bus service for schoolchildren to mitigate their sufferings for transport and also easing traffic congestions, but the DCC could not yet complete the construction work of 33 passenger sheds on different routes.

A committee concerned is scheduled to hold a meeting on the matter Thursday.

The committee convener and joint secretary (Admin) of Roads and Railways Department Mojibur Rahman, however, cast doubts on introducing the transport service in the stipulated time.

He told banglanews, “DCC could not complete the construction of 33 passenger sheds on Azimpur-Mirpur-12 route yet. The project may not be implemented this year if school buses are not pressed into service by October.”

Final decision to this effect would be taken in Thursday’s meeting, he added.

Earlier on September 19, the committee decided to operate 14 buses on different routes in the capital.

However, Communications Secretary Mohammad Mozammel Haque said school bus service would certainly be launched this year.

A meeting held at the Education Ministry on November 10 last year decided to implement the pilot project to ease the nagging traffic jam in the capital.

According to sources in the Education and Communications Ministries, the committee has decided to operate 14 school buses on different routes from Mirpue-12 to Azimpur at the first go.

Under the pilot project, the DCC had been assigned to build 12 new passenger sheds and renovate 21 old ones at 33 stoppages.

BDST: 1527 HRS, SEP 22, 2010.